Holiday light storage system

ABSTRACT

A holiday light storage system, for storing holiday light strings having a main cord and a plurality of dangling strands spaced along and extending from the main cord, using a storage device having a base, a hub extending upward from the base, and a plurality of spokes extending radially from the hub. The main cord is wrapped around the hub above the spokes, the main cord is supported by the spokes, and the dangling strands hang perpendicularly downward from the main cord. Accordingly, the holiday lights are maintained in a substantially tangle-free condition. The base preferably allows the hub to rotate to facilitate wrapping the light strings around the hub, and removal of the light strings from the hub.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a holiday light storage system. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a storage system which allowsholiday lights to be conveniently stored without tangling.

[0002] Holiday lights have been used through the ages to celebrate theholiday season, at a time when the days are short and natural light ismost scarce. Once electricity became commonly available, people havedecorated their homes and businesses with strings of electric lights.

[0003] Perhaps the most radical development of electric holiday lightsin recent years has been the “icicle” lights, which have all butreplaced the traditional linear light strings.

[0004] The icicle lights have a main cord, which is generally strunghorizontally across the eaves of a building, just as traditional lightstrings. However, the icicle lights then have a plurality of danglingstrands, which dangle from the main cord at uniform intervals. Eachdangling strand has several light bulbs thereon, giving the appearanceof an illuminated icicle.

[0005] Perhaps the only drawback to the use of holiday lights is thedifficulty storing these light strings between holiday seasons. Evenwhen coiled prior to storage, traditional holiday lights seem to tangleanyway. The light bulbs catch upon each other, making untangling anexpected task. However, the icicle lights present even furtherdifficulties, considering that with the multiple dangling strands,dozens of individual strands and ends are present. Accordingly,untangling these lights presents an unusually difficult and frustratingtask to the homeowner. In addition, the fragile bulbs can be easilydamaged while attempting to untangle the strands.

[0006] Schemes have been devised for storing holiday decorations of allkinds between holiday seasons. While these units may be suitable for theparticular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be assuitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosedhereafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a holiday lightstorage system which allows holiday light strings to be effectivelystored between holiday seasons. Accordingly, a system is provided whichallows strings of lights to be wound around a central hub, to preventtangling thereof.

[0008] It is a further object of the invention to provide a holidaylight storage system which allows multiple branch, “icicle” lights to bestored without tangling. Accordingly, the system winds the main cord ofthese light strings around the hub such that the dangling strands areallowed to hang plumb beneath the main cord in a manner that preventstangling from taking place.

[0009] It is a still further object of the invention to facilitate easywinding of the light strings upon the hub. Accordingly, by the preferredembodiment, the hub is mounted upon a “lazy susan” turntable, such thatthe hub may be rotated as the light strings are wrapped therearound, andmay once again rotate when the light strings are being removed from thehub.

[0010] It is an even further object of the invention to allow asignificant quantity of holiday lights to be stored using a single unit.Accordingly, at least two spokes extend radially from the hub, allowingthe main cords of several light strings the spiral therearound, whilethe dangling strands associated therewith hand directly therebelow.

[0011] The invention is a holiday light storage system, for storingholiday light strings having a main cord and a plurality of danglingstrands spaced along and extending from the main cord, using a storagedevice having a base, a hub extending upward from the base, and aplurality of spokes extending radially from the hub. The main cord iswrapped around the hub, supported above the spokes, and the danglingstrands hang perpendicularly downward from the main cord. Accordingly,the holiday lights are maintained in a substantially tangle-freecondition. The base preferably allows the hub to rotate to facilitatewrapping the light strings around the hub, and removal of the lightstrings from the hub.

[0012] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects theinvention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawingsare illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of theinvention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like referencenumerals. The drawings are briefly described as follows.

[0014]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view, illustrating theinvention, per se.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the invention in use,wherein a string of holiday lights is being wrapped around the hub, andthe dangling strands associated with the main cord thereof is hangingbelow.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, illustrating the inventionbeing placed in a storage box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017]FIG. 1 illustrates a holiday light storage system 10, comprising ahorizontal base 12 and a main hub 14 extending vertically upwardtherefrom. The main hub 14 has a bottom 14B at the base 12, and a topsurface 14T. The main hub 14 is generally cylindrical in shape, having acentral axis.

[0018] A plurality of spokes 16 extend radially outward from the mainhub 14 at uniform circumferential intervals. The spokes 16 are locatednear the top surface 14T, preferably are all at substantially the sameheight above the base 12, and extend substantially parallel to the base12.

[0019] The base 12 is generally rectangular, having four sides 12S, andpreferably comprises an upper plate 20 and a lower plate 22. The upperplate 20 is mounted for rotation upon the lower plate 22 as shown by thearrows in FIG. 1. To facilitate even rotation within the confines of thebase 12, the upper plate 20 is preferably circular in shape, coaxialwith the central axis of the main hub 14, and has a radius which issmaller than the minimum radial distance from the central axis to one ofthe sides 12S.

[0020]FIG. 2 illustrates the light storage system 10 in use, being usedto store a multi-branch light string 30. Commonly known as an “icicle”lights, the multi-branch light string 30 includes a main cord 32, and aplurality of dangling strands 34 which hang from the main cord 32. Thedangling strands 34 each have an end 35 opposite from the main cord 32,and each have a dangling strand length, measured between the main cord32 and the end 35. Adjacent dangling strands 34 are spaced apart alongthe main cord 32 at substantially uniform intervals. A plurality oflight bulbs 36 are distributed along each of the dangling strands 34.

[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the light string 30 is wrapped aroundthe hub 14, wherein the main cord 32 is directly wound around the hub14, above the radial spokes 16. Accordingly, as the main cord 32 iswound around the hub 14 and is supported by the spokes 16, the danglingstrands 34 “straddle” the spokes 16, hanging plumb, parallel to thecentral axis of the main hub 14. As the light string 30 is continuallywrapped around the main hub 14, it spirals outward therefrom in asubstantially planar configuration, wherein the dangling strands 34 hangneatly therebelow, perpendicular to the main cord 32, in a compact butrelatively untangled mass.

[0022] In order to allow the dangling strands 34 to hang neatly belowthe main cord 32, with each of the dangling strands 34 hangingrelatively straight and plumb, the spokes 16 must be located a heightabove the base 12 which exceeds the strand length. Generally the strandlength of most multi-branch light strings commonly manufactured issubstantially standard. Accordingly, the proper height for the spokes 16above the base 12 can be readily determined. However, a relatively saferange of variation for different purposes would dictate that the heightof the spokes 16 above the base fall within the range of eight to thirtysix inches, wherein such configurations accommodate strand lengths of upto thirty six inches.

[0023] Because the base 12 allows rotation of the hub 14, storage andremoval of the light strings 30 upon the hub 14 is greatly facilitated.As seen in FIG. 2, the main cord 32 can be rapidly wound around the hub14, provided that care is taken to ensure that the dangling strands 34are not inadvertently pulled across two of the spokes 16 instead ofdangling between the spokes. A suggested practice is to hold the maincord 32 taught outwardly from the hub 14 to ensure that the danglingstrands 34 fall around the spokes 16 and do not get caught thereon.Removal of the light strings 30 is also facilitated by rotation at thebase 12. Accordingly, one can simply pull the main cord 32 radially awayfrom the hub 14, causing the hub to rotate and release the light string30.

[0024] To facilitate both rotation of the hub 14 and removal of thelight storage device 10 from a storage box 40, a handle 38 is providedon the top surface 14T of the main hub 14. The handle 38 is preferablyprovided in the form of a collapsible strap 39, which arcs upward toaccommodate a hand when needed to lift or rotate the light storagedevice 10, as shown in FIG. 2, and folds relatively flat against the topsurface 14T when not in use, as shown in FIG. 1. Such a handle can beimplemented in a number of ways. One example is to provide a flange atboth ends of the strap, and provide slots in the top surface 14T whichare smaller in size than the flanges. Thus, the strap can be pulledupward until the flanges meet the top surface 14T, at which point thestrap can be used to lift the device 10, or the strap can be pusheddownward so that it extends through both slots until the strap is foldedflat against the top surface 14T.

[0025]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, which shows the device 10 inconjunction with the storage box 40. The storage box is of a generallyrectangular prism shaped configuration, such that it snugly accommodatesthe base, and has sufficient height to accommodate the device from thebase 12 to the top surface 14T of the main hub 14. As seen in FIG. 3,the light string 30 has been wrapped around the hub 14, with the maincord 32 remaining above the spokes 16 and the dangling strands 34hanging freely therebeneath. As illustrated, the main cord 32 droopssomewhat between spokes 16. Accordingly to remain neat, four spokes 16is preferred. However, a minimum of two spokes 16 is possible.

[0026] In conclusion, illustrated herein is a holiday light storagesystem which allows holiday light strings to be stored in a neat,logical, and tangle-free manner. The invention may be embodied in theform illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which provides an exampleof an implementation of the inventive concepts. These illustrations,however, are exemplative only. Numerous variations are possible, whileadhering to the inventive concepts. Such variations are contemplated asbeing a part of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A holiday light storage device, for storingholiday lights having a main cord and a plurality of dangling strandswhich extend from the main cord at spaced intervals on said main cord,comprising: a base, extending horizontally; a hub, having a top surfaceand a bottom, the bottom attached to the base, the hub extendingvertically upward from the base; and a plurality of spokes, extendingradially from the hub and substantially parallel to the base, the spokesextending above the base at a height sufficient to allow the danglingstrands to hang therefrom, such that when the holiday lights are storedwith the device the main cord is wrapped around the hub above the spokesso that the main cord is supported by the spokes while the danglingstrands drape downward from the spokes.
 2. The holiday light storagedevice as recited in claim 1, wherein the spokes extend from the hubnear the top surface and are all at substantially the same height abovethe base.
 3. The holiday light storage device as recited in claim 2,wherein the hub has a central axis, the base includes an upper plate anda lower plate, and the upper plate rotates with respect to the lowerplate to provide axial rotation for the hub with respect to the lowerplate.
 4. The holiday light storage device as recited in claim 3,further comprising a handle, the handle located on the top surface ofthe hub, for allowing the hub to be easily lifted and to facilitaterotation of the hub.
 5. The holiday light storage device as recited inclaim 4, wherein the spokes extend above the base at a height of betweeneight and thirty six inches.
 6. The holiday light storage device asrecited in claim 5, wherein the handle is collapsible flat against thetop surface of the hub when not in us.
 7. The holiday light storagedevice as recited in claim 6, wherein the lower plate is substantiallyrectangular in shape, having four sides, and wherein the upper plate issubstantially circular in shape, coaxial with the hub, and has a radiusshorter than a shortest distance from the central axis of the hub to oneof the sides.
 8. A holiday light storage method, for storing holidaylights having a main cord and a plurality of dangling strands whichextend from the main cord at spaced intervals on said main cord, using astorage device having a hub and a plurality of spokes extending radiallyfrom the hub, comprising the steps of: supporting the main cord bywrapping the main cord around the hub above the spokes; and hanging thedangling strands below the spokes, substantially perpendicular to themain cord and substantially parallel to the hub.
 9. The holiday lightstorage method as recited in claim 8, wherein the storage device furtherhas a horizontal base such that the hub extends vertically from thebase, and wherein the step of hanging the dangling strands furtherincludes hanging the strands toward the base.
 10. The holiday lightstorage method as recited in claim 9, wherein the base includes a lowerplate and an upper plate, the upper plate connected to the hub androtatable with respect to the lower plate, wherein the step of wrappingthe main cord around the hub further comprises rotating the hub axiallywith respect to the lower plate.
 11. The holiday light storage method asrecited in claim 10, wherein the storage device has a handle, located onthe top surface of the hub, and wherein the step of rotating the hubfurther comprises grasping the handle and turning the hub with respectto the lower plate using the handle.
 12. The holiday light storagemethod as recited in claim 10, wherein the spokes include four spokeswhich are located at substantially the same height above the base, andwherein the step of wrapping the main cord around the hub furthercomprises draping the main cord from spoke to spoke.